Horasis Global Meeting

Building Bridges to the Future

The ninth Horasis Global Meeting took place in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The Horasis Global Meeting has become a leading global forum for business leaders and entrepreneurs in a discussion platform where leaders can bridge divides in a world out of balance and ultimately to tackle the most pressing challenges facing societies today and tomorrow, including climate change, inequality and peace. This meeting was focused on Building Bridges to the Future. The meeting drew some 450 delegates from around the globe, including some of the leading global CEOs, well-known entrepreneurs and thought leaders, as well as Ministers and representatives of civil organizations to the city of Vitória in the State of Espírito Santo situated in the north east of Brazil.

Renato Casagrande, Governor, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil welcomed Horasis participants to Espírito Santo. “Innovation and sustainability are at the heart of our economy. And Espírito Santo strengthens its ecosystem with a focus on impact-driven businesses. We invite you to invest in Espírito Santo – your investments will generate sustained economic growth and prosperity, and create jobs and business opportunities for our people,” he said.

The Horasis Plenaries led off with a discussion of the World’s Economic Outlook. Yves Leterme, Former Prime Minister of Belgium, Belgium stressed that innovative solutions will be required to ensure that new constitutions can form a genuine basis for sustainable peace and security, as well as for long-term democratic progress. While Claude Béglé, Chairman, SymbioSwiss, Switzerland said we need to focus on sustainability and tackling key environmental initiatives. Maria Cristina Frias, Partner, Grupo Folha, Brazil added that Brazil’s economy is in good shape, driven by tight labor markets and investments whilst Jose Amarildo Casagrande, Chief Executive Officer, Banestes, Brazil and Fernando Cinelli, Chief Executive Officer, Apex Partners, Brazil argued that risks like the fiscal deficit and restrictive monetary policy remain.

Renato Casagrande, Governor, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil	Maria Cristina Frias, Partner, Grupo Folha, Brazil, one of the summit co-chairs

This was followed by the plenary Modeling an ESG-friendly Capitalism. In this panel, Edison Carlos, Chief Executive Officer, Instituto AEGEA, Brazil stressed that we need a cultural change supporting environmental education, and a greater awareness of public policies enabling the engagement of the entire society. In simple terms, every piece of waste that doesn’t reach the environment is a step towards a more sustainable water supply chain and a healthier environment. And Luana Romero, Chief Executive Officer, Instituto Ideias, Brazil, said she believed that women should not wait for others to give them their rights, but to find the courage to speak up for themselves. “We need to encourage girls and young women to pursue science and stay in science careers. We need stronger local, national and international policies that can help them follow those paths.” Edmar Camata, Secretary of Control and Transparency, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil affirmed that “putting people first, supporting entrepreneurial attitudes, innovation, and creativity are some of the concepts” must always be encouraged.

In the plenary panel Establishing Bridges Towards Global Peace, Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General, Council of Europe, France said “Democracy is not perfect, it’s a process, a commitment based on values and fundamental principles we all agree to”. His priorities look to advance democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Hichem Mechichi, former Prime Minister of Tunisia suggested former ministers ought not to be disruptive elements. He said he cannot be a disruptive element, and he will hand the responsibility to whomever the president chooses, in a step that may ease the North African country’s tough political crisis. And Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, Former President of the Republic of Ecuador noted how gender politics can play a deleterious part in the democratic process. She claimed that it was because of her gender that she was not allowed, as was her right, to stay as president after the February 97’ political crisis. “What happened to me was machismo.” Arteaga’s comments refer to the gender-based discrimination she experienced throughout her political journey – she was the first female politician to hold the Presidency in Ecuadorian history, and now dedicates much of her time to educational initiatives.

The next plenary looked to nations often unheard: Bridging Towards the Global South. Bo Inge Andersson, Chief Executive Officer, Uzauto Motors, Uzbekistan. Uzauto Motors stated that one must measure business performance to understand how to reach future targets, especially in emerging markets. Fahim Hashimi, Chairman, Hashimi Group; Former Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Afghanistan emphasized that: “Good quality and low-priced internet is the right of every citizen and our main goal is to provide better environment and to promote the private sector with good service delivery.” Pablo Lira, President, Instituto Jones dos Santos Neves, Brazil understood how vital it is to ‘get everyone aligned to good policies’ – as reflected in the growth and success of Espírito Santo. The plenary was rounded off by Shamsuddeen Usman, Chairman, Ministry of Finance Incorporated and former Minister of Finance and National Planning, Nigeria. Usman said some policies are formulated with a lack of commitment to implement or a lack of continuity, and some arise from vested interests.

Plenary ‘Creating Multiple Bridges Across Africa’	Plenary – Fostering South American Unity

The plenary ES 500 years – Transforming Espírito Santo into an ESG-led State was strongly anticipated as it was addressed by Renato Casagrande, Governor, State of Espirito Santo, Brazil who emphasized that Brazil is a great reference for energy transition. “We will have fundamental debates such as the economy, climate change, ESG practices and the future of our planet.” This Horasis meeting is an important international event for Latin America, for Brazil and for Espírito Santo,” he added. Márcio França, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Business, Government of Brazil, emphasized that Brazil ranks among the most entrepreneurial nations globally, noting that the proportion of Brazilians engaged in starting and managing both established and new businesses has surged to over 40% of the adult population. Brazil also boasts a notable presence in the global startup ecosystem, housing eight unicorn companies—privately held ventures with valuations exceeding 1 billion US dollars. Overall, the Minister expressed optimism about the economy, noting that inflation had come down, trade was robust and the fiscal position improving.

Jose Amarildo Casagrande, Chief Executive Officer, Banestes, Brazil mentioned the need to embed ESG in all parts of business – to create an ESG-driven DNA. Banestes was founded over 86 years ago with a focus on rural credit, it is thus at the front end of local supply chains. This bank’s operations were well-placed to open specific credit lines with zero interest for the victims the flooding and heavy rains earlier in the year in the southern region of Mimoso. William Bohnett, Vice Chairman, American Forests, USA further emphasized the role of local support as he has acted for several climate-focused organizations including American Forests, the nation’s oldest conversationist group. Mamphela Ramphele, Honorary President, Club of Rome, South Africa stressed that “ESG is not divisible; we must be engaged in the strive for ESG-driven growth on every front.“ Mamphela Ramphele has had a celebrated career as an activist, medical doctor, academic, businesswoman, global public servant and political thinker. She is the Honorary President of global humanitarian non-profit Club of Rome, and is the former Managing Director of the World Bank. Her sentiments stem from her work in South Africa, but is equally at place in the rural situation of Espírito Santo as addressed by the bank Banestes. Charles Tang, Chairman, Brazil-China Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Brazil rounded off this discussion by broadening a viewpoint to include China. As early as 2017 he noted – “We have received many contacts from various Chinese companies; they want to operate in Brazil and I’m sure many of them will be here soon.” Felipe Rigoni, Secretary of State for Environment and Water Resources, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil concluded by saying that ESG can help businesses make sound decisions, and investors achieve better long-term returns.

Márcio França, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Business, Government of Brazil, making a point on a panel	Mamphela Ramphele, Honorary President, Club of Rome, South Africa

Plenary No Water, No Business seems: Veronica Sánchez da Cruz Rios, President, Brazilian National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA), Brazil noted that ANA is legally liable for implementing the National Water Resources Management System (SINGREH) and it was created to ensure the sustainable use of our rivers and lakes for the current and future generations. Importantly, it is to assure that the water bodies are used with parsimony, in addition to making possible the generation of the necessary financial resources to recover and conserve rivers and lakes. And sanitation was stressed by Munir Abud de Oliveira, Chief Executive Officer, CESAN, Brazil who promotes the management and monitoring to achieve the goals of universalizing sanitation services. Which was echoed strongly by Luana Pretto, Chief Executive Officer, Instituto Trata Brasil, Brazil who stated “We can make a difference and boost basic services in Brazil by always defending what is most important to the population as a whole: the quality of life, health and the environment of the country.” These arguments were brought together by the chair, Alice Bouman-Dentener, Co-founder, Cansu Global, The Netherlands. She noted the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development which emphasized “all-of-society engagement and partnership” and “no one left behind”.

Michael Brown, US Senator, District of Columbia, USA reflected on the freedom to profess any religion, as well as a set of inalienable rights and equality. ”The power of a just government flows from the people,” he said. Murat Seitnepesov, President, Greater Caspian Association, Switzerland had noticed the lack of the principle of ‘doing the right things,’ across the Greater Caspian Region (GCR). The situation is getting better as his Swiss-based non-profit aims to promote and connect the GCR to the World. The Rapporteur on this panel, Benjamin J. Butler, Futurist, Embassy of the Future, Hong Kong noted the historical success of Brazil as a mediator and broker between disputing parties, and how other Global South nations can follow suit. Benjamin Butler also spoke of the power of the human imagination and story “Espirito Santo has a powerful story to be told. It could be a beacon of light for Brazil”, he concluded – a sentiment shared by Bruno Lamas, Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Nangula Nelulu Uaandja, Chief Executive Officer, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, Namibia focused on the collaborative role required between the public and private sectors to drive inclusive economic growth and find common solutions to these challenges. She noted the burden of the triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty that are facing Namibia.

Luis Castiglioni, Former Vice President of Paraguay, with Governor Casagrande and Frank-Jürgen Richter	Celebrating the Horasis Global Meeting

Luis Castiglioni, Former Vice President of Paraguay, Paraguay said Paraguay for over 30 years has decided to take the road of consolidation of public freedoms, along the road of democracy, and on the road of the absolute respect of human rights; and also to help the strengthening of these values anywhere in the world. Importantly Paraguay has declared a war without quarters, without asking for quarters, to international crime, to drug trafficking, to arms dealing, to contraband, to the laundering of assets and money. Roberto Fendt, Former Secretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs, Brazil demonstrated the close connection between Brazilian business interests and politics and its Latin American neighbors as well as the BRICS countries. A sentiment agreed by Federico Lavopa, Former Deputy Secretary for Trade, Argentina who is a coordinator of the Masters programme in International Relations and Negotiations at Flacso-Argentina at Higher University of San Andrés. Rodrigo Alejandro Yáñez Benítez, Secretary General, Sofofa; Former Vice Minister for Trade, Chile was unfazed by the varying trade volumes. As Vice Minister of Trade, he led Chile’s intense bilateral and multilateral trade agenda, including active participation in multilateral trade fora such as APEC, Pacific Alliance, and WTO.

The plenary B20’s Recommendations for the Horasis Global Meeting commented on the take-aways from the meeting. Dan Ioschpe, B20 Chair; Chairman, Iochpe Maxion, Brazil said that although the G20 brings together countries with great differences in economic, social inclusion and sustainability indicators, this diversity should, in fact, be seen as a huge opportunity. It favors a multiplicity of views that can facilitate the emergence of creative responses to common problems. Shariha Khanam Khalid, Founding Partner, Mission & Co., France underscored the primary goals of the B20′, themed as ‘Inclusive Growth for a Sustainable Future.’ She also elaborated on the systematic problems of bias against the female workforce. Women lack internet connectivity and digital literacy, partly due to women’s lack of education or cultural/social norms that lead to the exclusion of women from the digital world. The panel was chaired by Priyam Gandhi-Mody, Author and Founder, Vishwamitra Research Foundation, India.

Vítoria – host city of the 2024 Horasis Global Meeting

The co-chairs were:

	Bo Inge Andersson, Chief Executive Officer, Uzauto Motors, Uzbekistan
	Jose Amarildo Casagrande, Chief Executive Officer, Banestes, Brazil
	Claude Béglé, Chairman, SymbioSwiss, Switzerland
	William Bohnett, Chairman, American Forests, USA
	Edison Carlos, Chief Executive Officer, Instituto AEGEA, Brazil
	Fernando Cinelli, Chief Executive Officer, Apex Partners, Brazil
	Maria Cristina Frias, Partner, Grupo Folha, Brazil
	HH Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite, Executive Director, Royal Academy of Science International Trust, USA
	Fahim Hashimi, Chairman, Hashimi Group; Former Minister of Communications and  Information Technology Afghanistan
	Sekai Holland, Chairperson of Board of Trustees, Zimbabwe Peacebuilding Initiative; Former Minister of State for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, Zimbabwe
	Dan Ioschpe, Chairman, Iochpe Maxion, Brazil
	Mamphela Ramphele, Honorary President, Club of Rome, South Africa
	Murat Seitnepesov, President, Greater Caspian Association, Switzerland
	Engy Serag, Executive Director, Orascom Construction, Egypt
	Charles Tang, Chairman, Brazil-China Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Brazil
	Luiza Helena Trajano, Chairperson, Magazine Luiza, Brazil

Horasis is a global visions community committed to inspiring our future. Horasis’ summits have become some of the most influential high-level global gatherings which every year bring together governments, international organizations, and the business community to offer solutions to global challenges. In addition to the Horasis Global Meeting, Horasis hosts the annual Horasis India Meeting, Horasis China Meeting, Horasis Asia Meeting, as well as the annual gatherings of the Horasis Visionary Circle.